Vintage 2017 update

Vintage 2017 is off to a late start for Katnook Coonawarra.  Here is the latest from our team on the ground.

Viticulturist, Chris Brodie.  The season to date has been cooler and wetter than last year, reminiscent of vintages 10-15 years ago.  Compared to last vintage we are also much later, therefore the acid balance should be excellent in the final wines.  There have been no significant impediments such as prolonged heatwaves, rain, frost etc.  So, looking forward to some terrific fruit quality. 

Winemaker, Wayne Stehbens.  Compared to recent vintage starts, Katnook is around 2 weeks later than usual.  We commenced harvest on the 2nd March 2017 by picking Pinot Meuniere, Pinot Noir (both for sparkling base) and Sauvignon Blanc.  The fruit was in excellent condition, with high natural acidity and great flavours at low sugar levels.  This week we will finish Sauvignon Blanc and make a start on the Riesling, followed by Chardonnay in mid-March.

I expect the harvest for red grapes will start late March.

The long-term weather forecasts are for drier than average temperatures being only slightly above average. Unless this forecast changes dramatically, my expectations are for a very good to excellent vintage.

Katnook wins thrice at Sakura Wine Awards, Japan

Katnook Estate is proud to announce it has won the following awards at Japan's largest international wine competition, the Sakura Wine Awards 2017.  This year, 1 500 wines were judged.

Double Gold medals were awarded to Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 and Katnook Estate Chardonnay 2013.  Double Gold wines scored between 95-100 points and represent the top 5% of the total entries.

A further gold medal ( those scoring 88-94 points) was won by Katnook Estate Shiraz 2012, which coincidentally was a double gold and regional trophy winner at the same show last year.

Japan is an increasingly important market for Katnook Coonawarra and awards such as this increase the demand for fine wines, particularly in the on premise.

How to host the perfect outdoor dinner party

In these last few weeks of summer in the southern hemisphere, here are some great tips from Monisha Iswaran on how to host an outdoor dinner party - not forgetting the Katnook Coonawarra Wine! 

How to host the perfect outdoor dinner party.   Monisha Iswaran 13/02/2017 mydeal.com.au 

Are you throwing a dinner party and hoping to make the most of the warm summer weather? Turn your patio or back garden into the perfect party venue with just a few small tips and tricks. Making an outdoor party run seamlessly is an art, and planning and preparation is imperative to make sure you have an enjoyable evening with your guest instead of being stressed the entire time. Follow these simple guidelines to help you keep your food, drinks and decor in check, while keeping your guests entertained and happy.

Prepare Prepare Prepare

When you plan to host outdoors, you face nature in its full force, such as the possibility of rain, extreme sun, pests and a whole other host of unpredictable elements that could ruin your party. As such, event manager Lel Brassel Ngo, co-founder of The Party Kit Company, emphasizes the importance of preparation:

“The key, as with any party, is preparation - especially if you’re entertaining outdoors. Not only is the weather unpredictable, there are issues related to pests, food freshness, guest comfort and lighting. Get prepared by assessing your space: ensure there is adequate seating and shade, noting where to store food and drinks safely, and having measures in place to deter pests.

By developing a menu and preparing food in advance, you will save effort as well; think salads, charcuterie, fruit - things that can be prepared in advance, rather than you having to slave over a stove or barbecue when guests have arrived.”

For more party planning advice or to purchase style Party Kits, check out her online store on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Dress Up Your Dinner Table

One aspect of the night that can be done well before your guests start to arrive is the setting up of your table. Your choice in decor can make the difference between a seemingly shabby, thrown together dinner and making your home and garden a stylish party venue.

When planning the aesthetic tone of your table, start with choosing a centrepiece! You might want to accentuate your outdoor environment by choosing something nature-related, like an eye-catching flower arrangement. Other table decorations with an outdoor feel could include small succulents, a table runner filled with moss, lanterns and a variety of candles. Another option is to include a selection of wooden objects, to contribute to the earthy atmosphere in which your dinner is set.

You also need to consider what type of dinnerware you are planning use, depending on the degree of formality you are hoping to achieve. Generally, choosing plates and cutlery that have colour add to the fun, stylish vibe of the table without have to appear stiff and formal.

Be Ready With Drinks

From the moment your guests arrive, you should have drinks on hand to welcome them into your home, particularly as a dinner party set outdoors may be slightly warm at the start of the evening, and you want to keep your guests feeling cool and cheery. Be sure to have a constant supply of ice on hand, as you are likely to underestimate how much will be used throughout the night, particularly if you have a large party of people coming for dinner. You will also want to have a bucket or tub filled with ice to keep the drinks cold and ready for consumption!

Anna Aldrige from Katnook Coonawarra estate winery, suggests how particular wines are perfect for an outdoor summer dinner:

“Outdoor dinner parties usually call for fresh, fruit driven styles of wine. The reason is that the great outdoors usually send us all into an immediate state of relaxation and focusing on a wine’s subtleties is often better suited to indoor dining. Katnook Coonawarra crafts the Founder’s Block range which are fruit forward, ‘drink now with food’ styles of better known varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Keep The Pests From Your Guests

An important factor to keep track of for an outdoor party is the possibility of insects, such as mosquitoes and the like. Firstly, take preventative measure such as ensuring that any pots, containers or gutters that could contain stagnant water are emptied prior to the evening. This will also help to keep your venue looking clean, smart and ready for hosting.

Understandably, you will not want to be spraying insect repellent throughout your evening, as this is sure to dampen the festive mood. Luckily, there are other options you can consider such as plugging in a number of fans to keep the air moving and the bugs at bay. This will also keep your guests cool and comfortable, killing two birds with one stone. You may even want to place a small fan on the table to keep the food items safe from lingering insects. You can also consider other repellent products, such as a gadget that you can set-up in the garden, or bug wipes that your guests can use on their skin for a pest-free evening!

Sweeten Up Your Summery Party

No outdoor dinner party is complete without the perfect dinner party dessert. Sweets For Tilly has some tips for planning the perfect end to your evening meal:

“Light and simple. For those of you who do not like a heavy and over filling dessert, stick to something light such as cookies with tea and coffee. Macadamia nut cookies or vanilla shortbread go great with some herbal tea or coffee, will not leave you feeling too full and will ensure your guests aren’t rolling home.

Add some variety. If you want to mix things up for your guests instead of having just one simple dessert, add a few different elements to the batter. Cookies, cupcakes, or cheesecake cups. This is a great idea to cater to everyone’s needs and gives the option of more than one dessert. Your guests can also eat as much as they want or keep it to a minimum.”

If you want to get more tips on planning a dessert menu, and get inspired by more creative ideas and themes, check out Sweet For Tilly on Facebook and Instagram.

So there you have your guide to pulling off the perfect outdoor dinner party without a single glitch. Now you have no excuse to be sitting indoors during the months of summery weather. Happy party planning!